Monday, April 28, 2025
Session 4: Breakouts
12:00-12:50 PM
12:00-12:50 PM
Double Session: 11:00 am-12:50 pm
We Can All Do Better: Insights from LGBTQIA+ Library Professionals
Mystic Ballroom BE
Presenters: Jamie Nicholson (she/her), Assistant Director of Programing & Outreach at Ramsdell Library; J Billingsley (they/them), Library Director at Portland Library; Josh LeBlanc (he/him), Children’s Librarian at Wallingford Public Library; Mary Richardson (she/her), Teen Librarian at Simsbury Public Library; Taylor Skorski (they/them), Reference Librarian at Avon Free Public Library; Stephanie Smith (she/her), Teen Librarian at Avon Free Public Library (moderator)
Join LGBTQIA+ library professionals as they share experiences and strategies for creating safe, inclusive library spaces. This session is ideal for library staff at all levels, especially those in roles influencing policies and culture. Whether you're new to LGBTQIA+ initiatives or looking to deepen your understanding, you can gain practical insights for fostering a welcoming environment for all.
Sponsor: JEDI Section
Objectives & Takeaways:
Basic understanding of LGBTQIA+ vocabulary, identities and experiences
Resources for further learning and keeping up to date
Learn about the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ library professionals and patrons.
Explore actionable strategies for creating inclusive library spaces and policies.
Gain insights into the importance of allyship and fostering a culture of acceptance.
Provide essential tools for creating a library environment that reflects and supports the diverse needs of your community.
Free Funding for Community Wi-Fi
Conference Room 1
Presenters: Ryan Kocsondy, Rachael Collard of CEN & Kate Sheehan, Stratford Library Association
The CEN Community Wi-Fi Grant Program provides $10M to enhance WiFi access for underserved communities and establish eduroam for Connecticut’s education community. Eligible libraries and municipalities can apply to connect to CEN, build or expand secure WiFi access, and help democratize internet access for their communities.
Sponsor: CLA Member
Objectives & Takeaways:
Libraries and Municipalities will learn how to apply for direct grand funding to support their community Wi-Fi initiatives.
The Hidden Art on Your Picture Book Shelves:
Exploring Picture Book Design
Exploring Picture Book Design
Conference Room 2
Presenter: Mel Schuit, Let's Talk Picture Books
Join picture book design blogger Mel Schuit for a discussion about paratextual picture book elements like casewraps and endpapers and the important role they play in expanding a story’s physical boundaries. Learn how to incorporate these elements into your own discussions and storytimes with young readers and help them develop a deeper connection with the stories they read.
Sponsor: Conference Committee
Objectives & Takeaways:
Attendees will come away from the session with a book list and the language to talk about the physical design elements of a picture book.
Find more at Letstalkpicturebooks.com
Library Leaders: When Public and School Librarianship Collide
Conference Room 3
Presenters: Jasmine Cedeno & Nicole Kent, Southington Public Library; Chris Carvalho, Southington Public Schools
Public librarians Jasmine Cedeno and Nicole Kent team up with school library media specialist Chris Carvalho to present on the success of Library Leaders, a monthly outreach program that has blossomed into a leadership opportunity for both middle schoolers and high schoolers. Benefits, obstacles, and program testimonials and ideas will be covered.
Sponsor: CLA Member
Objectives & Takeaways:
Program highlights will include how the public library and school library partnership began, how the program is run, and how the partnership benefits both the school library and the public library. Public librarians can leave with the hope that public library and school library can happen and be successful.
More Than Just a Job Description: Maximize Staff Potential & Improve Morale through Creative Programming Practices
Conference Room 5
Presenters: Rob McCoole, Ken Medvetz, Janyce Sires & Angelina Carnevale of Guilford Free Library
Interested in outside-the-box programs? Do your staff members have interesting hobbies/community connections? Join director Rob McCoole, head custodian Ken Medvetz, administrative assistant Janyce Siress, and children's manager Angelina Carnevale for a presentation on how to encourage staff interests to create successful, interesting programs led by staff of any position, not just librarians.
Sponsor: CLA Member
Objectives & Takeaways:
The main idea is sharing how anybody on staff can have a great idea and should be encouraged, making space for everyone, and letting everyone create their own space. The examples we're going to discuss include Janyce running two interesting and successful book clubs (Cookbook Club and Victorian Book Club) and Ken running two very popular gaming programs (Mahjong Club and Annual Puzzle Competition). Neither are librarians and their job descriptions have nothing to do with running programs, but they have these ideas and the programs really took off. We have also had several assistants and part-time staff come up with their own children's programs, including knitting/crocheting lessons, storytimes, and crafts. We have also encouraged librarians with interests to run programs outside their given department (children's librarians running adult programs and vice-versa). These programs bring in a wider swath of the community to the library and boost staff morale.
We discuss how to make space for these “extracurriculars” logistically (scheduling, funding, etc.), so that other duties are not impacted. We also touch on how unionized job descriptions play into having staff work “outside of the box”. Letting all staff pursue their interests in a way that benefits the library shows all employees that they are valued as more than just a warm body doing necessary tasks. As librarians, we are always talking about examining subconscious bias as it relates to our patrons: collection diversity, culturally sensitive programming, inclusive physical spaces. Yet we rarely examine subconscious elitism within our own ranks and towards our own colleagues. Yes, we went to school for this, and yes, there are certain things that only a librarian should be responsible for, but breaking down the hierarchy and job descriptions where it’s appropriate is good for everyone. We hire non-librarians all the time to do programming at our libraries, so why not tap into the potential of the non-librarians we already know and trust?
The Importance of Autonomy at Work: Taking Control of Your Professional Life and Supporting Others
Conference Room 7
Presenters: Laura Horn, Executive Director at Library Connection Inc., & Denise Martens, Youth Services Librarian at Bloomfield Public Library
Come and chat with Laura Horn, Executive Director of LCI, and Denise Martens, Youth Services Librarian at Bloomfield Public Library, on ways to enhance your work experience. Learn what workplace autonomy is and isn’t, why it’s important, what leaders can do to support autonomy, and how to create your own opportunities.
Sponsor: Career Development Committee
Objectives & Takeaways:
In today's libraries, where burnout is prevalent, autonomy can act as a powerful tool for both employees and employers. By granting individuals the freedom to take ownership of their work and participate in decision-making, organizations can foster job satisfaction, boost team performance, stimulate innovation, and enhance employee engagement and retention. In this session, we will discuss what autonomy is: empowering individuals to take ownership of their work and actively contribute to the decision-making process. And what autonomy isn't: unrestricted control over actions without consideration for organizational norms and goals.
As we explore the many benefits that autonomy brings, we will provide practical steps to help individuals carve out their own autonomy including engaging in professional development, building your network, pitching innovative ideas, and more. And we will offer ways that leaders can support others in gaining autonomy including fostering a culture of empowerment and trust.
Q&A with the Connecticut Department of Children & Families
Mystic Ballroom AD
Presenters: DCF Representative
Learn about DCF's role in caring for the children and families of Connecticut. Hear about their offered resources and how best to work together at the library. Come ready to ask plenty of your burning questions!
Sponsor: Children's Session
Objectives & Takeaways:
To build and foster stronger relationships, understanding, and resource sharing within different state departments and municipalities.
More information at https://portal.ct.gov/dcf
Murder, Fantasy and Romance, Oh My!: Running a Genre Specific Book Group at Your Library
Mystic Ballroom CF
Presenters: Rita Covelli, Kelly-Ann Gardella, Shannon Hitchcock & Kathy Pickle of Ridgefield Library
Join us for a breakdown on how to start, or continue, a genre specific book group at your library. We will offer advice on marketing, retaining membership and creating connected programming to become a space where ALL readers feel welcomed.
Sponsor: Reference & Adult Services Section
Objectives & Takeaways:
Book groups are a tried-and-true library offering, but they can take great effort and energy. Genre specific book groups can be difficult to navigate, especially in a world where literary merit is not attributed to certain genres. We have created, or continued, book groups that not only cater to all types of readers but are run by staff that have enthusiasm and love for these genres.
Join us as we break down why we have created these groups, how we have kept them running, some struggles we have faced and how you can start one of your own.
